New system to reduce road rage

A simulator that promises to fine-tune the way traffic signals are coordinated in the world's major cities has been developed by Australian scientists.

While computer simulation of traffic flows is not new, the TRITRAM traffic simulator is unique in being able to link directly to the computer system managing traffic lights in 50 cities around the world.

TRITRAM also includes features not usually included in simulators such as accurate simulation of buses, which tend to slow down the outer traffic lane but are hard to model because their pattern depends on many factors including the number of people waiting.

Dr Lamb said a system known as SCATS (Sydney's Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System), developed by the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority was used to control traffic networks in many of the world's major cities.

It identifies the busiest routes within a set of options and co-ordinates the lights to reduce congestion. It also alters the signal settings within an individual intersection to try to "even up" the traffic queues at each arm of the intersection.

By hooking the new simulator up to SCATS, the complex flow-on effects of any re-routing decisions can be easily seen before trying the changes out on commuters.

This means controllers can test management plans for crises such as road works or an accident, and get detailed statistics to show how the changes helped or hindered congestion.

"If you're going to change flow at a series of intersections, say because of a broken down car, you want to know what effect that will have," Dr Lamb said.

He said the simulator accurately mimicked real-world traffic behaviour, with the virtual cars on the screen "even impatiently changing lanes to make sure they join the shortest possible queue at traffic lights".

TRITRAM is currently on show for visitors from over a hundred countries at the world's biggest technology fair, the Hannover Messe, in Germany this week.